Rainforests of the Atsinanana
Factors affecting the property in 2014*
- Fire (widlfires)
- Illegal activities
- Land conversion
- Mining
- Subsistence hunting
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Encroachment;
- Fire;
- Hunting and poaching;
- Artisanal mining;
- Illegal logging:
- Governance.
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
Illegal logging of precious wood species (ebony and rosewood) and its secondary impacts; poaching of endangered lemurs were identified as threats for the site’s integrity.
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4344
Corrective Measures for the property
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4344
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4344
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2014
Total amount granted: USD 1,890,000 from the United Nations Foundation and the Nordic World Heritage Foundation.
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2014
Total amount approved : 155,000 USD
| 2010 | Forêts Humides de l’Atsinanana (Approved) | 100,000 USD |
| 2005 | Elaboration of a a serial nomination for the humid ... (Approved) | 25,000 USD |
| 2000 | Technical Assistance for Building Capacity for World ... (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2014**
May 2011: Joint monitoring mission World Heritage Centre / IUCN
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2014
The State Party submitted a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property on 3 February 2014; the summary is available at the Internet address: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1257/documents/
The implementation of the corrective measures and progress achieved concerning some conservation problems are indicated in the report, as follows:
- In August 2013, the Steering Committee responsible for the management and clearing of the precious wood sector defined strategic actions to implement the policy of “zero stock, zero logging, and zero movement” notably through the application of exemplary sanctions for traffickers, awareness raising of the general public, ensuring security of the exit roads and the strengthening of the Committee to provide increased legitimacy;
- The State Party confirms that it foresees the sale and exportation of the seized stocks of wood following the inventory and marking process. The sale is to be organized by an international body and the major portion of the income will be allocated to governance, conservation and community development activities. Three studies supported by the World Bank are currently ongoing: a feasibility study for the inventory, a legal study and an assessment of the options for liquidation. The State Party has also requested the opinion of the CITES Secretariat concerning the procedures to follow. CITES has, in fact, confirmed that eventual exportation must be approved by its Permanent Committee, after presentation of an audit and plan for the use of stock, in conformity with the action plan adopted at its 16th Conference of Parties (COP16);
- The control system is strengthened through patrols of the mixed brigade, agents of the Madagascar National Parks with involvement of the local vigilance committees, overflying of the five components of the property (with the exception of Marojejy) and two raids to eradicate mining exploitation at the Zahamena National Park;
- A cooperative protocol between the three ministries concerned is signed, for the establishment of a maritime surveillance and control mechanism and an international society has been retained for satellite surveillance of maritime traffic;
- An evaluation process of the property using the tools “Enhancing our Heritage” is ongoing, with support from the Africa Nature programme of the World Heritage Centre, IUCN and the African World Heritage Fund;
- A resumption of illegal logging of rosewood was reported at the end of 2013, at the Masoala and Marojejy Parks. This increase appears to be linked to the withdrawal of the police force from their positions around the site due to the elections. The State Party noted that following the elections these positions had not yet been resumed;
- The annual clearing level is 0.031% (threshold = 0.01%), or the equivalent of 253 ha cleared in the property and the threat level still remains high for the Masoala and Andohahela National Parks;
- Poaching has been reduced by 46% in comparison to 2011;
- The management units of each of the components of the property are implementing ecological monitoring programmes. Restoration activities of the cleared zones are carried out over 43 ha and actions against invasive species conducted on 158 ha;
- The stability of the management effectiveness index is noted.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2014
The Committee is invited to warmly commend the political will of the State Party, as expressed by the President of the Republic of Madagascar, to undertake strong measures to halt the traffic of rosewood. The important progress in the implementation of the corrective measures should be noted, particularly the development of a management and clean-up strategy for the precious wood sector by the Steering Committee and the establishment of appropriate mechanisms and tools for the conservation, surveillance and monitoring of the components of the property. Note should be taken of the steps proposed for the sale and exportation procedures of the illegal stocks of precious wood. An eventual decision for the sale should be based on the results of the three studies mentioned above and take into account the recommendations of the CITES Secretariat.
There is concern as regards the resumption of illegal logging since the end of 2013; the notifications provided by the CITES Secretariat on 4 September 2013 and 26 February 2014 confirm that the illicit exportation of wood continues despite the embargo established in the framework of the CITES action plan.
However, in this regard one must be content with the request of the President of the Republic of Madagascar of 18 February 2014 to the diplomatic missions and consulates to inform the port and airport authorities of their respective capitals on the fraudulent nature of the exportation of rosewood from Madagascar.
The Committee is recommended to request the State Party of Madagascar as well as the recipient State Parties of the illicit traffic of rosewood to strengthen efforts to respect the embargo established in the framework of the action plan and to request the State Party of Madagascar to postpone the sale and exportation of the illegal stocks until receiving the endorsement of the CITES Permanent Committee. The reinforcement of the surveillance mechanism that was weakened since the elections is also recommended.
It should also be noted that the elimination of illegal logging, stocks and movement of wood constitutes a key condition for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger. It is recommended that the Committee also request the State Party to invite a joint UNESCO/IUCN monitoring mission to the property to evaluate progress with these actions and progress achieved in the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, and to update, if necessary the corrective measures and the timetable for their implementation.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2014
38 COM 7A.44
Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar) (N 1257)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
- Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.11, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
- Commends the efforts undertaken by the State Party in the implementation of the corrective measures and the commitments contained in the action plan annexed to the decision of the Conference of Parties of CITES in Bangkok (COP16);
- Welcomes the clear political will of the State Party as expressed by the President of the Republic of Madagascar to undertake the necessary measures to halt the illegal traffic of rosewood;
- Notes with concern an increase in illegal logging since end-2013 and the continued illegal exportation despite the embargo established in the framework of the CITES action plan and requests the State Party to strengthen the surveillance mechanism that has been weakened since the elections;
- Urges the State Party of Madagascar as well as the recipient States Parties of the illegal traffic to reinforce efforts to respect the embargo and to inform the port and airport authorities of their respective capitals of the fraudulent nature of the exportation of rosewood from Madagascar;
- Also requests the State Party to postpone the sale and exportation of the illegal stocks until the results of the current studies as well as the endorsement of the CITES Permanent Committee have been obtained and reiterates the importance of the consultation process with all the stakeholders;
- Also reiterates that the elimination of illegal logging in the components of the property and the illegal stocks constitute a key condition for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Further requests the State Party to continue its efforts in the implementation of the corrective measures and the recommendations of the 2011 joint UNESCO/IUCN mission that have not yet been entirely implemented;
- Requests furthermore the State Party to invite a joint UNESCO/IUCN reactive monitoring mission to the property to assess this progress and the progress achieved in the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, and to update, if necessary, the corrective measures and the timetable for their implementation;
- Requests moreover the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, a detailed report, including a 1-page executive summary on the state of conservation of the entire serial property, including an evaluation of the implementation of the corrective measures, and information on progress made towards achieving the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
- Decides to retain the Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar) on the List of World Heritage in Danger
38 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (retained sites)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-14/38.COM/7A and WHC-14/38.COM/7A.Add),
- Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
- Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 38 COM 7A.14)
- Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 38 COM 7A.15)
- Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 38 COM 7A.31)
- Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.34)
- Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 38 COM 7A.21)
- Colombia, Los Katíos National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.32)
- Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.35)
- Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 38 COM 7A.36)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.37)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.38)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.39)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.40)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 38 COM 7A.41)
- Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 38 COM 7A.1)
- Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.43)
- Georgia, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (Decision 38 COM 7A.16)
- Georgia, Historical Monuments of Mtskheta (Decision 38 COM 7A.17)
- Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 38 COM 7A.33)
- Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 38 COM 7A.28)
- Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 38 COM 7A.2)
- Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 38 COM 7A.3)
- Jerusalem, Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (Decision 38 COM 7A.4)
- Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 38 COM 7A.44)
- Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 38 COM 7A.24)
- Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 38 COM 7A.25)
- Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 38 COM 7A.45)
- Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 38 COM 7A.5)
- Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 38 COM 7A.20)
- Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 38 COM 7A.22)
- Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.46)
- Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 38 COM 7A.18)
- Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 38 COM 7A.29)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
- Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 38 COM 7A.26)
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 38 COM 7A.19)
- United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.30)
- Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 38 COM 7A.23)
- Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 38 COM 7A.13)
Draft Decision: 38 COM 7A.44
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.11, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
3. Commends the efforts undertaken by the State Party in the implementation of the corrective measures and the commitments contained in the action plan annexed to the decision of the Conference of Parties of CITES in Bangkok (COP16);
4. Welcomes the clear political will of the State Party as expressed by the President of the Republic of Madagascar to undertake the necessary measures to halt the illegal traffic of rosewood;
5. Notes with concern an increase in illegal logging since end-2013 and the continued illegal exportation despite the embargo established in the framework of the CITES action plan and requests the State Party to strengthen the surveillance mechanism that has been weakened since the elections;
6. Urges the State Party of Madagascar as well as the recipient States Parties of the illegal traffic to reinforce efforts to respect the embargo and to inform the port and airport authorities of their respective capitals of the fraudulent nature of the exportation of rosewood from Madagascar;
7. Also requests the State Party to postpone the sale and exportation of the illegal stocks until the results of the current studies as well as the endorsement of the CITES Permanent Committee have been obtained and reiterates the importance of the consultation process with all the stakeholders;
8. Also reiterates that the elimination of illegal logging in the components of the property and the illegal stocks constitute a key condition for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
9. Further requests the State Party to continue its efforts in the implementation of the corrective measures and the recommendations of the 2011 joint UNESCO/IUCN mission that have not yet been entirely implemented;
10. Requests furthermore the State Party to invite a joint UNESCO/IUCN reactive monitoring mission to the property to assess this progress and the progress achieved in the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, and to update, if necessary, the corrective measures and the timetable for their implementation;
11. Requests moreover the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, a detailed report, including a 1-page executive summary on the state of conservation of the entire serial property, including an evaluation of the implementation of the corrective measures, and information on progress made towards achieving the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
12. Decides to retain the Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar) on the List of World Heritage in Danger
Madagascar
Documents examined by the Committee
38COM (2014)Exports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
